City of Los Angeles and Ernst & Young Kick off
26th Annual Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Program
Award celebrates entrepreneurs in Los Angeles who accounted for 19,000 jobs and $7 billion in revenue in
2011
January 13, 2012 07:01 PM Eastern Time
LOS ANGELES--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Yesterday Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and
Deputy Mayor for Economic and Business Policy Matt Karatz joined Ernst & Young LLP Partners Patrick
Niemann and Brian Ring to kick off the search for business innovators to compete in the 26th Annual Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award program for Greater Los Angeles. The Mayor and Mr. Karatz welcomed
distinguished past award recipients, award sponsors and other business leaders in the Bradley Tower at City Hall.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates game-changing leaders around the world who founded,
strengthened or transformed successful enterprises. The regional award recognizes entrepreneurs who stimulate the
economy by creating high-growth businesses and jobs in Los Angeles. In 2011, Greater Los Angeles area semi-
finalists generated $7 billion in revenue and produced 19,000 jobs.
“I’m proud to stand with Ernst & Young in its support of local entrepreneurs and its recognition of their important
role in the Los Angeles economy,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “Ernst & Young’s program shines a deserving
spotlight on our city’s job creators and revenue generators who drive the innovations that set Los Angeles apart.”
Each year, Ernst & Young showcases successful entrepreneurs from more than 140 cities in 50 countries. It receives
more than 100 nominations from companies in Greater Los Angeles alone. Past Los Angeles winners include: Tim
Leiweke (AEG), Earvin Magic Johnson, Jr. (Magic Johnson Enterprises), Don Chang (Forever 21), Robert
Friedman (Summit Entertainment LLC), Mark Hughes (Herbalife International) and, most recently, Frank Addante
(the Rubicon Project).
“Los Angeles is the city that creates and innovates,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Business Policy Matt
Karatz. “We are proud to honor the past and present Entrepreneur Of The Year Award participants who call Los
Angeles home. Ernst & Young is tapping into our city’s thriving, talented and creative community and we’re
delighted to join them in recognizing this group of outstanding job creators.”
The Los Angeles winners will be announced on June 19, followed by a national gala in Palm Springs in November.
To qualify, entrepreneurs must be the founder or an executive who organizes, manages and assumes the risk of a
business early in its life cycle or during its growth. The deadline for 2012 nominations is March 9.
“The search is on for new award winners to build on the momentum from our 26-year history celebrating
entrepreneurship,” said Brian Ring, Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for Ernst & Young LLP in the
Greater Los Angeles Area. “The 2012 award will help raise the profile and reach of business leaders whose passion
and drive propel our economy forward.”
About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year Program
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The
unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential
and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the
first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading
successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs
in more than 140 cities in 50 countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000
people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping
our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential.
For more information, please visit www.ey.com.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is
a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide
services to clients.
This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global
Limited located in the US.
Contacts
Ernst & Young LLP
Linda Whalen, +1-213-977-3919
Linda.Whalen@ey.com
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